‘The Goldbergs’ 1990s Spinoff Starring Bryan Callen In the Works At ABC

ABC and Sony Pictures TV are looking to turn The Goldbergs into a franchise with an offshoot series. The network has handed a script commitment with a high-six-figure penalty to the single-camera comedy project set a decade later than the 1980s mothership series and centered around the recurring character played by Bryan Callen.

Deals are still being finalized for the potential spinoff, which comes from The Goldbergs team of creator/executive producer Adam F. Goldberg, executive producers Marc Firek, Doug Robinson of Happy Madison and Seth Gordon and Sony TV.

Written by Firek, the untitled new comedy is about two high school teachers, including Callen’s coach Mr. Mellor, who become unlikely father figures to the school secretary’s three misfit kids. Callen has appeared in 17 episodes of The Goldbergs so far, making his debut in Episode 10 of Season 1.

Goldberg, Firek, Robinson and Gordon executive produce. ABC a couple of years ago also tried to spin off flagship comedy Modern Family with a show built around a recurring character, played by Rob Riggle. In both cases, the network opted to go through the traditional development season involving a standalone pilot.

Goldberg’s autobiographical The Goldbergs, now in its fourth season, has done well as ABC’s new Wednesday 8 PM anchor this fall.

There likely be at least one comedy series spinoff launching next season as CBS is prepping an offshoot from its hugely successful Big Bang Theory centered on Jim Parsons’ Sheldon character as a 12-year-old boy.